BH14 Lützen - French Left (2 May 1813)

Historical BackgroundThe battle of Lützen was a success for Napoleon, where he looked to be in old form. He won the field with a double envelopment of the Allied Army of Silesia, in what was at first an attempted surprise attack on the French flank. The battle raged mostly in the center, but success depended upon the wings breaking through. On the frenchleft, Prince Eugene's Army of the Elbe approached, with the leading element being Macdonald's corps. St. Priest held Eisdorf, just to the east of the heavy fighting in the center of the battlefield, in hopes of protecting the Prussians fighting in Klein Gorschen. Fressinet's troops engaged and the village exchanged sides multiple times.Konovnitzin's Grenadiers then approached with heavy cannon support in response to Charpentier's approach.The fighting became a slugfest over the Flossgraben. Eventually, further French reinforcements arrived and the Russians settled with just trying to keep the French from crossing the Flossgraben before nightfall. Though the French won the field, complete rout was avoided due to the significantly depleted French cavalry available in 1813.The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

Battle Notes

Special RulesThe Flossgraben is fordable except that it is impassable to Artillery.

Eisdorf and Kitzen form a Temporary Majority Group Victory Banner Objective (turn start) worth 1 victory banner to the side holding an absolute majority. The Russian player starts with 1 victory banner.

The Russian player receives 1 victory banner if the French have no units on the Russian side of the Flossgraben. The French player receives 1 victory banner if he has 2 or more units on the Russian side of the Flossgraben. Russia starts with 1 banner.

I am finding after many replays live with a neighbor, that removal of the Allied advanced left flank LT unit from the scenario is getting our games to a razor sharp margin of within 2 banners, with roughly even results. Though I'm not officially changing the scenario yet, would love to hear from those who play it if balance "as published" seems to bias towards the Allies. If so, I think removing the aforementioned unit might get the balance just about right.

Needs some plays from others to make this decision, because our results might be a function of our playstyles instead of the scenario.

So far, I really love this scenario. Makes for some interesting decisions both sides.